Alright, I was in New Orleans today to show a priest friend around the French Quarter. As I was waiting for him near Jackson Square, I was approached by a rather normal looking man (which can be odd for the French Quarter) and asked to donate to "Food For Life" to help feed the homeless. I declined specifically because I looked at the fine print on his badge saying that this organization was sponsored by International Krsna Consciousness Association or some foolishness like that.

Well, as odd as that is (actually, not seeing the guy in the quarter dressed up in a orange gown and sporting a shaved head is odd enough) then I found the site for Food for Life. Yep, they are there to feed the poor and homeless - but with a vegetarian and vegan meal!

Last year I had posted a link to The Brick Testament - a rendering of certain sections of the Bible in Lego form, but removed it after a few folks sent it to their grandchildren not realizing that some of the Bible stories they were portrayed were the kind you don't tell kids when they are so young. Anyhow, the mind behind The Brick Testament has put s few of the stories from Genesis in book form. There is nothing too off color in this edition (the most graphic story depicted is Sodom and Gomorrah). Check it out.

For those interested, we will be having our next Communio Study Circle this coming Monday, October 6 at 6:00pm at the conference room of St. Pius X Church in Lafayette, LA. We will be discussing Cardinal-Elect Ouellet's article "Mary and the Future of Ecumenism." Join us if you would like. You can keep up with the goings on of our Study Circle at the Lafayette Communio Blog.

A couple of questions in regards to the liturgy after the Holy Father has died. Is it true that at one time you would move the presiders chair to a different location to show the vacancy of the papcy. Also, what do you say during the Eucharistic prayer when it comes to naming the pope, if the pope has not yet been picked?

Tanti Auguri to Archbisop Ouellet who was named a Cardinal by the Holy Father today. I have written about Archbishop Ouellet before on these pages. A wise and holy man, he directed my thesis back at the John Paul II Institute in Rome. I wish I caould make it to Rome to see him get the red hat, but I am too busy around the parish. What a blessing for the church!

As far as I can tell there are no sort of foul pictures or stories on this site. Here is a list of a ton of Christian Polygamy sites. They are loads of fun (and many have really swell MIDI files imbedded in their sites). And this is the guy who started it all. Oh, and if you want to read more, here is a general information site.

Thanks to Silly Me for these other Christian and Biblical Polygamy sites:

When I lived in Paris at St. Sulpice Seminary during July of 1997, the Church of St. Lazare, where good St. Vincent's incorrupt body is exposed for veneration, was just a few minutes down the road. Often I would make a small pilgrimage there and climb the small stairway near the altar to get up close to the reliquary which is visible from every part of the small but exquisitely decorated Church. very POD.

American illusionist David Blaine is finding that hanging high above a river provides amusement aplenty for a jeering public as the eggs, golf balls and rotten tomatoes whiz by, and sometimes smash into, his lofty perch.

Fr. John Sistare has some riotously funny (and very direct and profound) posts on his blog as of late. You can check out his meditation for this weekend's gospel here with the caption: HERETICS, DISSENTERS, & LIBERALS...EXERCISE YOUR NECK NOW! and this one entitled "Bring it On." Fr. Sistare is going to pump you up!

From what is offered at this Dominican Retreat House, one would think that Dominic converted the Albegensians with Therapeutic Massage? Did Thomas have an article in the Summa? "It seems that Massage is not a path to God." And what about Peter Martyr? Were they trying to massage his head with that scimitar?

Looks like the film project is going through. You can read details at movies.com. Here are the principals so far: Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, Lily Tomlin, Mos Def, and Olympia Dukakis, with Sharon Stone and Larry David considering parts. Here you can see pictures from a staged reading in June. There are more here.

Here is a list of who read which parts: Will Ferrell as Ignatius Reilly, of course; Anne Meara as Mrs. Reilly; Paul Rudd as Officer Mancuso; Alan Cumming as Dorian Green; Mos Def as Burma Jones; Rosie Perez as Darlene; Olympia Dukakis as Santa Battaglia and Miss Trixie; Natasha Lyonne as Myrna; Kristen Johnston as Lana Lee; Jesse Eisenberg as George; John Shea as Gonzales; Celia Weston as Mrs. Levy, Miss Annie and Miss Inez; John Conlon as Robichaux and Mr. Clyde; Jace Alexander as Bartender Ben; and Dan Hedaya as Mr. Levy.

Will Ferrell as Ignatius Reilly? I don't know if I can see that. I still say it should be Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I do like anything with Dan Hedaya in it, especailly as Mr. Levy. I wonder if they will make him throw up in the film?

Also known as the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, it commemorates the day that Our Lady appeared to St. Peter Nolasco and told him to found the Mercederian Order, dedicated to ransoming Christians enslaved by the "peace loving" Muslims. I have a statue of Our Lady of Ransom in my rectory chapel.

NB: In the picture is is holding a pair of broken shackles, presumably from some Christian freed from Moorish enslavement.

The Mercederians are still around, although I am not sure they are still ransoming Christians from the Moors. Visit their web site and read up on them.

A heated battle has been joined in the Vatican between moderates and conservatives over a directive, called for by the Pope, that would bar altar girls and stop millions of Roman Catholics around the world dancing, or even clapping, in their churches.

The humorous and compelling anecdotes surrounding the life of Padre Pio could fill volumes upon volumes; here are two coming from the many hours he spent in the confessional. A man came into him one day, and instead of confessing his sins began to quibble with St. Pio about the existence of hell. It appears that the young man did not believe in it, therefore did not think any of the immoral actions he was engaging in were terribly wrong. Sternly Padre Pio responded to him, “Don’t believe in hell do you? You’ll believe in it when you get there!” Another time a woman stricken with intense nervousness passed gas loudly while in kneeling in confession with Padre Pio, then began to shuffle her feet in order to try and disguise what she had just done. Padre Pio said to her, “Don’t do that der. You won’t succeed in covering up what you did.”

I dug this up on my old site. I write it in May of 1999 on the afternoon of Padre Pio's Beatification. I hope to post several things today on this great saint.

There's a joke in Italy that goes something like this… If you have a small prayer request, like to pass an exam, or that your stomachache might go away - you pray to Jesus. If you have one that is a bit bigger, like that you might find a job or that you might have a safe trip during a snowstorm - you pray to Our Lady (La Madonna!!) But if you have a really big prayer request - for something like a dying child, or the conversion of a hardened sinner - you pray to Padre Pio… Of course this is not the most theologically sound advice - but it represents well the mind (and devotion) of many Italians.

Well, today was a big day not just for them, but for millions of believers around the world, as Pope John Paul II solemnly proclaimed Padre Pio a "Blessed" of the Church. Estimates are that nearly 1 million people from all over the world showed up in Rome today for this great celebration. Some "big" names in certain Catholic circles were there too: Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Bob and Penny Lord, Nancy Fowler, Josyp Terelya and some said even Maria Esperanza and Christina Gallagher were in attendance. There were so many people that the entire Piazza of San Peter's and the Via Conciliazione which runs into the Piazza, could not hold all of the pilgrims. They had to have another group watching it on giant TV screena at St. John Lateran (and another attending via satellite in San Giovanni Rotondo). For months now the city of Rome (which has its own organizational problems without having a million pilgrims in the city at one time) has been wondering how in the world it was going to handle this influx of people. The bickering and fretting has been endless. But the prayers of the million or so pilgrims who were going to show up no matter what for the Beatification must have worked (an example of the truth of the above joke?), because the day went off without a hitch - as peaceful as you could imagine.

True, the weather was a bit cloudy, but it only provided shade for the pilgrims who began arriving at St. Peter's as early as 4 a.m. It was an absolutely amazing ceremony - and what's more for an outdoor liturgy at St. Peter's, quite prayerful. Great TV screens lined the Piazza and Via Conciliazione so that all could see what was taking place under La Cappella Papale. Helicopters passed over head for security, and for filming the great mass of people there. The ceremony began at 9:30, with the solemn proclamation taking place at just about 5 minutes before 10:00. As soon as the Holy Father mentioned the words (in Latin) "Blessed Pio of Pietrelcina" - hands began clapping, flags and banners began waving, and the cheers that rose up I am sure could have been heard from miles away. The Pope gave a nice homily, telling of his own trips as a seminarian studying in Rome to San Giovanni Rotondo to see the holy friar, and of his attendance at his masses. The liturgy lasted for just about 2 and 1/2 hours, the TV screens showing different views of the Piazza and everyone gathered there. And whenever they would show a picture of Padre Pio, everyone would begin to cheer and clap, no matter what time it was during the mass. It was a truly blessed experience for all there. Yet that was only the beginning of the festivities. Parties and dinners were expected to go on throughout the day, and into the week. This day proved to be a great testimony to the beauty and "humanness" of the Catholic faith, and to a holy monk who although some considered him almost divine, knew himself that he was all too human. Blessed Pio of Pietrelcina, ora pro nobis!

I don't know how he did it, but Terry was able to find my old website archived. A decent amount of it is still available from what I can tell. Terry runs the Patron Saints Index and kicks behind like Yaphet Kotto. He kicks behind because his hagiographical site is superb, he reads my blog, he found my old web site, and he actually used to read (and like) my old web site.

I've mentioned before that back in '98 or '99 I started running a web site on the now defunct xoom.com named Sibley's Saintly Salmagundi. Well, between the server folding and me losing files on my old computer, I have lost a lot of the writing I had posted on the site. I'd like to recover it. I've looked through Google and the Internet Archive to no avail. Is there any other source out there that might have taken pictures of the site back then and still have them archived somewhere? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks to Netflix, I finally got around to seeing Dominik Moll's With A Friend Like Harry... A fantastic film. You can read James Bowman's review, and he offers some fine insights into the film (as usual). But mine is a totally different take on it all. You may think I am on some contraception in cinema kick after reading what I had to say about The 400 Blows, but I think there is a profound anti-contraception, andti-utilitarian dimension to this movie (wheter or not the director intended it to be so). I don't want to give any of the film away, but if you decide to see it (or if you have already seen it) the film appears to be critiquing a sort of post-modern utilitarian view ("egged" on by the contraceptive mentality) where one can do whatever he or she pleases, at whatever the cost, if indeed it will bring the individual happiness, pleasure, and personal fulfillment.

With summer and vacations approaching rapidly, the blessing of automobiles is among the most frequently requested blessings today. However, the rite provided in the new Book of Blessings is woefully inadequate. Please be advised, therefore, that in addition to the "longer rite" and the "shorter rite," there exists a third option, the Rite of Blessing Automobiles by Total Immersion. The complete rite is being prepared by the Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of Detroit, recognizing that this will spring more fully from their local culture than from others. The following norms should be regarded as provisional in nature and will be superseded by the publication of the complete rite, as is usually the case.

The use of holy water in the Church's life is always intended to remind us of baptism. Hence, the total immersion of the automobile, or other vehicle to be blessed, is the fuller sign, an effective symbol manifesting the desire of the Church that the entirety of our lives be immersed in the mystery of Christ, no matter what we're doing.

Any church can provide itself with an immersion tank for the automobile, constructed under the careful supervision of the Buildings and Properties Commission and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission. The tank should be sufficiently deep that total immersion is possible, thus providing for the fullness of the sign. It is recognized, however, that practical difficulties (e.g., the presentation by its sponsors of a Mack truck) will make total immersion impossible, in which case infusion (pouring) is the obvious substitute. Care should be taken, however, that with proper catechesis, the faithful be encouraged to understand the value and significance of the fuller celebrative sign-act.

To this objective, the automobile should not be driven into the pool by ramp. The integrity of the sign requires the automobile to be lowered into the blessed waters, thereby signifying that one cannot achieve a state of blessedness through one's own unaided effort. Necessarily, the car will be lowered by only one cable, thus avoiding unnecessary multiplications of confusing or distorting sign-acts. Care should be taken that the community resist such mere, pragmatic rationalizations that have brought us such terrible abuses as several crucifixes in the sanctuary and at the Veneration on Good Friday, multiple chalices on the communion table, holy water stops at each door of the sanctuary, and, perhaps worst of all, people gathered for Sunday worship, all of which signal that liturgical renewal in most parishes has not yet ripened for the gathering. We must insist: "one bread, one body/one car, one cable."

It is best that the car be immersed three separate times, once for the invocation of each Person of the Trinity. A single immersion will do, however, when rust or loose bolts or celebrants prevent the threefold method. It is fitting that immersion be celebrated by a priest or deacon with hands outstretched or by a layman or laylady with hands joined. In either case, the minister of blessing will almost certainly require the assistance of three hefty altar servers capable of holding up the vehicle along with the new Book of Blessings as prayers are prayed. Block and tackle are permitted when weight ratios between servers and vehicle might result in embarrassment or death, but all effort should be exercised toward simplicity of liturgical aides or aids. Immediately afterwards, Christian symbols may be placed on or within the car, but, again, care should be taken to avoid needless duplication of symbols. Symbols may appropriately take a variety of forms, as long as they spring naturally from the culture of the people as an expression of faith, are widely understood and revered by the faithful, are effective symbols, and are not St. Christopher medals. The Episcopal conference and the local diocesan liturgical commission are the best judges, as they have always been, of what authentically expresses the faith of the people.

As soon as the new Rite of Blessing for Automobiles and Other Vehicles is approved, the norms contained therein supersede the norms contained herein, all things to the contrary notwithstanding. Until then, these norms will be regarded as having the force of anything contained in the Book of Blessings. In certain situations, the rite might be abridged if local circumstances suggest difficulties with the full implementation of the rite.

I finally got to see Truffaut's classic first film about a young boy struggling with growing up during the 1950's in Paris. A classic film but one, if watched correctly, gives a very accurate account of what contraception does to a family. It has it all - the weakening of the father, ridicule of those who are open to the gift of life, adultery, alienation of the children. I am not sure that was Truffaut's intention, but this meaning was clear to me.

Why not resurrect Traditionally-Scientific "Medieval Magi" for the "Friendlier Conquests" of High Debate? For Futuristic-Scholastic Fellowship? Why not crown these efforts with noble awards given to the more creatively-pious minds? The world hosts a number of elite societies: The Royal Society of Great Britian, The Templeton Foundation of Pennsylvania (Whose noble award for Religion and Science is a larger sum than the million dollars given for the Nobel Prizes), and The American Philosophical Society founded here in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin (This Practical Society boasts 200 Nobel Laureates emphasizing utility, science and art, politics and industry.). And the mind can imagine many nobler societies likewise linking the various faiths.

You'll need to register with this site to read the article, but it is worth it. It is about a projec tthat Wynton Marsalis is involved in which tries to teach high school kids lessons in life through Jazz music.

Jazz is a prism through which we gain a better understanding of life as Americans.

It was 3:30 pm. So this is how it is, this is how it always happens in the 3:30 pm. Obscenity your 3:30 pm. With my last 50 Lira I purchased some true and honest Bourbon; I took a pull from the bottle. It was good. It burned my mouth and felt good and warm going down my esophagus and into my stomach. From there it went to my kidneys and my bladder, and was good. I remembered then when I last saw Graham Greene who was still a damn fine writer. It was in Milan and we looked out the windows at the Shrub and drank Bourbon in the 3:30 pm. It was 3:30 pm and had been 3:30 pm for some time.

Not meaning to be sacreligious or disrespectful, I used to joke with some of my Jesuit friends that St. Robert Bellarmine was the most boring saint to have ever lived. I don't think he was ever able to prove my thesis false. So, let's try to do so today - can anyone tell me any good funny or exciting stories from the life of Il Bellarmino. I found one: At one point the Saint used the tapestries in his living quarters to clothe the poor, saying that "the walls won't catch cold."

I read Hilaire Belloc's chapter on Mohammedeanism in his book The Great Heresies yesterday (yes, he considers it a heresy). I suggest picking it up and reading it if you haven't. Belloc offers some timeless insights plus a prophecy about the resurgance of Isalm after the fall of the Ottoman Empire that, as we know, has come to pass. You might also want to read these articles on Belloc and Islam:

If you look at the rest of his site, this guy really hates the Catholic Church, but he has put a lot of effort into this very informative Papal Authority page with all sorts of pictures of Tiaras and references to Papal documents.

The 16th solemn exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier will be held from November 21, 2004, and end on January 2, 2005, at Old Goa. A decree announcing the holding of the solemn exposition has been issued by the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Mgr Raul Gonsalves. The first solemn exposition was held from February 10 to 12, 1782.

After being sent into exile on trumped up charges at the Synod of the Oak, John Chrysostom was allowed to return to his see in Constantinople after the empress Eudoxia took the death of her child as a sign from God to allow the holy bishop return to the royal city. John hesitated, but eventually returned in triumph to his beloved bishopric. It wasn’t long however before St. John was heading toward a second exile. The first incident occurred as a loud and boisterous ceremony celebrating the erection of a new statue in Eudoxia’s honor was going on in the streets during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. In a fit of anger, John complained from the pulpit that these goings on were an insult to the dignity of the church and condemned those who were putting them on. The empress was furious when she heard this, but was hesitant on retaliating against John so soon upon his return. What sealed her decision to once again send him into exile was word that soon after his outburst over the erection of her statue, at ceremony in honor of his name sake John the Baptist, Chrysostom opened with remarks obviously directed at her, “Again Herodias is enraged, again she dances, again she seeks John’s head on a platter.” It was not long after that John was against into exile, one he would never return to Constantinople from.

St. John Chrysostom is one of the most behind-kicking saints of all time. As a result he is one of my favorites. This site has a plethora of information on St. John Chrysostom, including icons and online editions of some of his works. Not to be missed!

The Red Shoes is a center devoted to helping women connect through book studies, movement classes, prayer groups and workshops...

The Red Shoes got its name from the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale "The Red Shoes," as interpreted by Jungian analyst Clarissa Pinkola Estes ....

"Religion is dogma and doctrine in a specific tradition," Vanderwall said. "Spirituality is acknowledging the divine within. The center gives them (women) a chance to heal and spiritually blossom in a very inclusive and non-judgmental way."

I don't even know where to begin with this one. A certain Mr. Griff Ruby seems to think that God has spoken to his soul and told him where to find the real Roman Catholic Church, since it seems to have left Rome. You can read his meandering ruminations at www.the-pope.com. I guess Mr. Ruby thinks he is the Pope, I am not too sure.

I found out about this guy on this here website by F. John Loughton, who seems to be a solid fellow. He has a page dedicated to Nuts and Fruitcakes where he discusses Mr. Ruby and his ideas and another that details correspondence between him and Mr. Rudy.

St. Peter spent most of his life ministering to the destitute slave populations arriving in the New World. After many years of service, he contracted a plague while working among working with the slaves. He lay sick and dying for four years in his cell, so weak that he could not move around or say Mass. After a time he was totally forgotten by all but a few friends. Hagiographers tell us that he was even neglected by his nurse, Manuel, who would eat most of the saint’s food her self and the rest she would simply throw in his mouth. However, when word that his passing away was imminent spread throughout the city of Cartagena, crowds of people flocked to see him and to kiss his hands. Before his death they carried off nearly everything they could move to keep as relics.

The Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has been barred from conducting communion services in 350 Church of England parishes because of his support for women priests, according to a report in the Sunday Times.

A former Bond girl will be among a dozen church ministers taking part in Clergy on the Catwalk, a clerical fashion show at the Christian Resources Exhibition, GMex, Manchester tomorrow morning.

Rev Dr Shannon Ledbetter, who sported a £250,000 designer PVC dress in the 1997 Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, was ordained deacon in the Church of England last year. She lectures in Theology and Religious Studies at Liverpool Hope University College.

Clergy on the Catwalk will feature colourful, contemporary vestments from leading ecclesiastical designers. A former model, Shannon has written a number of articles on religion and the arts and welcomes an initiative which emphasises the symbolism behind clergy clothes.

I looked on IMDB and could not find Ledbetter listed in the 1997 Bond Movie.

Fr. John Sistare, a good friend of mine from the seminary in Rome has started his won blog. Fr. Sistare preached the mission in our parish last year and it was a smashing success. Please visit his blog - he is rock solid.

It's a Communion Snack Pack - wafer and grape juice in one conveniently sealed package. Make sure you take the Communion Cup Challenge! I like the Communion Shot Glasses in the Upper Left Hand Corner of the home page.

Was Don McLean a Prophet? The Folks at Roy Taylor Ministries sure think so. They claim, "American Pie, is a detailed prophecy, concerning America's future, and a 'funeral hymn,' written in a 'dirge' foretelling America's death." And it all coincides with Biblical Prophecy! I wonder if their is any backmasking in the song?

I just finished watching Fellini's classic Le Notti di Cabiria from 1957. What a compelling "Catholic" film one filled with great hope as exuded by the exemplary performance of Giulietta Massina. Read James Bowman's review.

Although most folks have never heard of him, Josh Rouse is the true King of Pop, and his new album (a tribute to the year of his birth) is just as good as anything he has ever done. As you might imagine it has a real 70's feel - very infective. It makes some great driving music. The album is worth it just to hear the song "Slaveship" (in RealAudio format).

I usually try to be sort of satirical and whimsical when dealing with many of the odd or even crazy things I blog about, I can't with this one. I debated even posting it, and I might decide to remove it later. It makes me so sad. The site is a Yahoo group called Teens For Satan. I have every reason to believe it is real. I am not one to see Satan in every corner, but something like this is pretty obvious. What makes it so sad is that it is for teenagers. I am sure most of them come from troubled home situations and are looking for acceptance and power and thus are getting messed up in something like this. I am sure teen Satanism is not an epedimic, but it is something for which to pray and fast.

Unless you were in Swaziland this week you missed the annual "Reed Dance" where tens of thousands of young girls gather and dance topless for three hours in hopes that King Mswati will choose them to be his next Queen(s). You can read more about the King here and his birthday celebrations here. Here is a photo of the happy king.